Girl Scouts' library goes mobile

After the indefinite closure of Jackson County's 15 public library branches in April, the Jackson Elementary Girl Scouts mounted a book drive to open a lending library this summer.

By Paris Achen

After the indefinite closure of Jackson County's 15 public library branches in April, the Jackson Elementary Girl Scouts mounted a book drive to open a lending library this summer.

One thousand books later, visits to the Girl Scouts lending library in the Santo Community Center, 701 N. Columbus Ave. in Medford, have been sparse. About five to 10 children on average visit the library between 9 a.m. and noon on Mondays and Wednesdays.

So the Girl Scouts are going to roll grocery carts through the streets of the Jackson school enrollment zone beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday to hand deliver the books to their classmates, most of whom come from low-income families.

"By going mobile, we are hoping to reach a lot more kids that maybe are shut in during the day while their parents are at work or haven't heard about us," said Kathy Greager, a Jackson Elementary Girl Scouts leader.

"I think every community needs books and of course, in low-income areas where families may not have books, the need is greater."

On a Wednesday morning, the little room packed with books at the Santo Community Center was empty, save for the two parents who were manning it.

"I thought this would be something that would really take off, but we've had a lack of advertising," Greager said.

She said children who have gone to the library have made repeat visits.

The library offers a story time, felt play boards, games and reading prizes.